Hope Beyond Affliction
But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. (Luke 3:19-21)
Welcome to the Year of Good News: Our God Reigns!
We face this new season with hope and anticipation, and believe God for revival in our spirits, healing of soul and body, and progress in education and career. Heartfelt condolences to many of our members who have lost loved ones in the recent days; we trust the God of all comfort to keep you and carry you through this time.
All the four Gospel writers connect the rise of Jesus Christ to the ‘downfall’ and afflictions of John the Baptist. They all mention that John the Baptist was put in prison – some giving the details of the circumstances that landed the great prophet into this trouble. John the Apostle reports John the Baptist to have said of Jesus, “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30). He had earlier confessed, ‘one who is more powerful than I will come’ (Luke 3:16). Our Archbishop has announced to the Church of Uganda a theme that should light up our year: Hope After Affliction; and this is what comes to mind when I think about the predicament and difficulties faced by John the Baptist and his disciples only a short while after Jesus Christ was baptized.
As we commemorate the Baptism of Jesus, we rejoice at the hope that this brings to all without discrimination. Baptism represents new birth, and this is available even for Samaritans as witnessed in the Acts 8 account. Baptism brings all who receive the sacrament into one family and breaks deep and long-standing walls of division and hatred; we are all brought to the family where God is our Father and Jesus Christ our big brother. Jesus’ baptism reminds us of the paramount importance of humility, while the Samaritans’ baptism teaches us never to despise anyone as beyond the grace of our God. Hallelujah!
Back to the John the Baptist: eventually his situation did not get better; it got worse and worse until he was beheaded and died in that prison! His disciples must have been sad, and perhaps questioned what hope there is for them if their master could suffer such shame and pain at the hands of a sinful King Herod and her more sinful ‘wife’ Herodias! But there is good news – Our God reigns. There is hope beyond such and similar affliction. The Messiah that had been well introduced is the hope of the fallen prophet and his former disciples; actually, they found a worthier and fuller Rabbi and Master in Jesus Christ. And we remain hopeful because He is the resurrection and the life – bright hope for those who remain faithful even to death. For your life today and tomorrow, trust Him – our true hope indeed.
God bless you all. Happy and Blessed New Year!